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JNM
J Neurogastroenterol Motil, Vol. 19 No. 2 April, 2013
pISSN: 2093-0879 eISSN: 2093-0887
http://dx.doi.org/10.5056/jnm.2013.19.2.251
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
How to Interpret
a Functional or
Motility Test
How to Perform and Interpret Timed Barium
Esophagogram
Zafar Neyaz,1* Mahesh Gupta2 and Uday C Ghoshal2
Departments of 1Radiodiagnosis and 2Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
Timed barium esophagogram (TBE) is a simple and objective method for assessing the esophageal emptying. The technique
of TBE is similar to usual barium swallow with some modifications, which include taking multiple sequential films at pre-decided time interval after a single swallow of a fixed volume of a specific density barium solution. While many authors have
used height and width of the barium column to assess the esophageal emptying, others have used the area of the barium
column. TBE is being used in patients with suspected or confirmed achalasia and to follow-up those who have been treated
with pneumatic dilation or myotomy. This review discusses technique of performing TBE, interpretation and its utility in clinical
practice.
(J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2013;19:251-256)
Key Words
Esophageal achalasia; Esophageal motility disorders; Esophageal sphincter, lower; Esophagus
6-8
Introduction
Radiological evaluation of the esophagus has the ability to di1
agnose both structural changes as well as motility disorders.
While barium esophagography is performed for the detailed evaluation of the esophagus, a timed barium esophagogram (TBE) is
2
performed specifically to study the esophageal emptying. TBE
quantifies the esophageal emptying easily and accurately, and is
essential in the initial evaluation of motor dysphagia, commonly
3-5
caused by achalasia. Esophageal scintigraphy, endoscopic evaluation, conventional and high resolution manometry are the other
techniques for evaluating esophageal anatomy and functions.
However, scintigraphy and manometry are not widely available
and endoscopy is not a good modality for the functional assessment of esophagus. Scintigraphy technique varies considerably in
different institutions including consistency of the radionuclide
3
meal. Barium studies are cheaper and readily available. Various
authors have used TBE in predicting response to pneumatic dilation (PD) but the technique and interpretation has been variable.
Moreover, criteria to define response after PD according to
esophageal emptying as seen in TBE also need standardization.
This review discusses technique of performing TBE, interpretation and its utility in clinical practice.
Received: February 24, 2013 Revised: March 21, 2013 Accepted: March 23, 2013
CC This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.
org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work
is properly cited.
*Correspondence: Zafar Neyaz, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014,
India
Tel: +91-800-490-4488, Fax: +91-522-266-8017 (or 8078), E-mail: zafar@sgpgi.ac.in
Financial support: None.
Conflicts of interest: None.
ⓒ 2013 The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
J Neurogastroenterol Motil, Vol. 19 No. 2 April, 2013
www.jnmjournal.org
251
Zafar Neyaz, et al
3
Technique
The technique of TBE is similar to the usual barium swallow
with some modifications, which include taking multiple sequential films at pre-decided time interval after a single swallow of a
fixed volume of a barium suspension of specific density. Several
techniques of TBE have been described in the literature by vari3-5
ous authors with minor variations. Patients are advised over9
night fasting prior to TBE. Entire study is performed in the
erect posture using standard radiography machine. A low density
barium sulphate suspension (45% weight by volume) is ingested
orally within 15-20 seconds (Fig. 1). The volume of suspension
(usually 100 to 250 mL) used for this study should be such that
patient can tolerate it well without regurgitation or aspiration and
the dilated achalasic esophagus can be filled adequately. It is better to have a fixed volume as a standard protocol. Left posterior
oblique films are taken 1, 2 and 5 minutes after barium ingestion
(Fig. 2). Usually, three-on-one spot radiographs of 14 × 14 or
14 × 17 inches size are taken. The distance between the fluoroscope carriage and the patient is kept constant during all three
spot films. The 2-minute radiograph is optional, but fluoroscopy
is done at 2-minute to see the state of esophageal emptying. If barium completely clears from the esophagus on the 2-minute film,
the 5-minute film may be omitted. One can choose smaller volume of barium suspension especially for pediatric patients. For
sequential studies before and after treatment for achalasia, one
should consume the same volume of barium as ingested for the
3
baseline examination to have consistent results.
Commonly Encountered Problems During
Timed Barium Esophagogram and M easures to Overcome These
In achalasia patients with a massively dilated esophagus, if
the barium column cannot be fit on a three-on-one spot film, a
3
two-on-one spot film should be taken. If the height of the barium column is not fitting length-wise on one film, a spot film is
exposed centered over the lower portion of esophagus, followed
immediately with another spot film centered over the upper portion of the esophagus. Subsequently, a fixed point is located on
each film (usually a vertebral body) that serves as a reference
point for both the films. The barium column above or below the
reference point is measured on the respective films and added to
estimate the height of the entire barium column. In patients with
vigorous achalasia, exposing the spot film at a time when the barium column is continuous is difficult due to prominent tertiary
3
esophageal contractions. In such situation, film should be ex-
Figure 1. Technique of timed barium
esophagogram. Barium sulphate suspension (45% weight/volume) is swallowed by patient in standing position.
Three radiographs are taken 1, 2 and 5
minute later in left posterior oblique
position.
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Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility